Berhalter scores twice, Whitecaps beat Dallas 3-2 to extend unbeaten streak to seven

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Sebastian Berhalter scored two goals — his first multi-goal game this season — and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat FC Dallas 3-2 on Wednesday night.

The Whitecaps (9-1-2) are unbeaten in seven consecutive games. They moved back into first place in the MLS Supporters’ Shield and Western Conference standings.

Vancouver, coming off 1-1 ties with the LA Galaxy and San Jose, had been winless in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

The Whitecaps lead the league in goal difference (plus 21), have the second-most goals scored (30), and the third-fewest against (nine).

Vancouver remained unbeaten in MLS under head coach Jesper Sorensen when leading at halftime (21-0-3).

The coach made one change to his starting lineup in inserting Emmanuel Sabbi for Bruno Caicedo on the right wing.

Dallas coach Eric Quill stepped onto the field Wednesday and was sent off in the 87th minute.

Berhalter became the first player in club history to record a goal contribution in nine of the first 12 games to start a season.

“It’s something that throughout the years I’ve tried to improve upon,” the American said.

“It’s something to have the coaches trust me. It took time to earn their trust with that. At the beginning, they wanted me to chill out and take a little bit of less shots and understand the shots I’m taking.

“I’m confident in it and they’re confident in me and it’s just about hitting the target.”

Petar Musa and Logan Farrington each scored a goal for Dallas.

“It was a difficult game, but thanks to some spectacular moments from Sebastian we pulled through,” Sorensen said.

Musa has 11 goals this season, tied with Miami’s Lionel Messi for second in MLS behind Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers (12 goals).

Berhalter blasted a first-touch shot, off a feed from Kenji Cabrera, from just outside the area that deflected off the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Michael Collodi, ricocheted off the back post into the net to cap the scoring in the 64th minute.

Berhalter’s shot from outside the penalty arc went bar down to make it 1-1 in the 23rd minute.

An own goal by Dallas’ Osaze Urhoghide gave the Whitecaps a 2-1 lead in the 27th.

“The determination to go out there and get the win is the most important thing,” Berhalter said.

Dallas (5-4-4) had won back-to-back games.

Yohei Takaoka had one save for Vancouver. Collodi had three saves for Dallas.

Vancouver’s Andres Cubas left the game with an apparent injury in the 87th minute.

“Not particularly good right I think right now, but I don’t think it’s something severe,” Sorensen said.

“We have to figure out what it is. He felt something in his knee.”

Cubas was replaced by Thomas Muller, who made his return to the pitch in the second half after missing the previous two matches due to illness.

Up Next

Vancouver: Visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Dallas: Host San Jose on Saturday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer